Media Release

On May 11, 2009, shortly after 10:00 p.m., Kona Patrol officers responded to a report of a robbery occurring on Alii Drive. Responding officers determined a purse was snatched from the arms of a female Japanese tourist while walking on Alii Drive. During the robbery, the suspect grabbed at the victim’s purse causing the visitor to fall and sustain minor injuries. She was treated and released by paramedics at the scene.

Police located a juvenile male a short time later and arrested him for robbery. Items belonging to the victim and her husband were found on the juvenile and subsequently returned to them.

As an update, on May 12, 2009, at approximately 8:45 a.m., Juvenile Aid Section detectives charged the youth for Robbery II and Theft II. He was also arrested and charged for an unrelated warrant and placed in the custody of Family Court.

Detectives would like to talk to the woman who called 911. She is asked to call Detective Scott Kurashige at 326-4646 ext. 265. For those who wish to remain anonymous, please call Crime Stoppers in Hilo at 961-8300 or Kona at 329-8181. Crime Stoppers does not subscribe to caller ID.